In human mitochondrial genetics

Human mitochondrial genetics

Human mitochondrial genetics is the study of the genetics of the DNA contained in human mitochondria. Mitochondria are small structures in cells that generate energy for the cell to use, and are hence referred to as the "powerhouses" of the cell....

, Haplogroup L4 is a human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroup.

It is a small African haplogroup.

Distribution

L4 is important in East Africa

East Africa

East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...

 and Horn of Africa

Horn of Africa

The Horn of Africa is a peninsula in East Africa that juts hundreds of kilometers into the Arabian Sea and lies along the southern side of the Gulf of Aden. It is the easternmost projection of the African continent...

. The highest frequencies are in Tanzania

Tanzania

The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...

 among the Hadza at 60-83% and Sandawe at 48%.

Tree

This phylogenetic tree of haplogroup L4 subclades is based on the paper by Mannis van Oven and Manfred Kayser Updated comprehensive phylogenetic tree of global human mitochondrial DNA variation and subsequent published research.

Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA)

• L1-6
  • L2-6
    • L2'3'4'6
      • L3'4'6
        • L3'4
          • L4
            • L4a (Formerly known as L7
              Haplogroup L7 (mtDNA)
              In human genetics, Haplogroup L4a is a human mitochondrial DNA haplogroup. It is a small African haplogroup. It was once called L7 and considered its own branch of L. It was determined to be a subclade of L4 and renamed L4a by Behar et al...
              
              )
              • L4a1
                • L4a1a
              • L4a2
            • L4b
              • L4b1
              • L4b2 (Formerly known as L3g or L4g)
                • L4b2a
                  • L4b2a1
                  • L4b2a2
                    • L4b2a2a
                    • L4b2a2b
                • L4b2b

External links

• Ian Logan's Mitochondrial DNA Site
• Mannis van Oven's Phylotree